Column structure



Nov- 2, 1937. J. PAVLECKA 2,097,606

COLUMN STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 31,71934 INVENTOR l j@ ZW Patented Nov. 2,17937V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE *A 'i COLUMN STRUCTURE John Pavlecka,Detroit, Mich.

Application December 31, 1934, Serial No.` '759,815

22 Claims.

pression, torsion, bending, or under any cornbination of these stresses.

A still further object is to provide a structure relatively slender andinternally inaccessible that can be assembled with little or no rivetingfrom a number of pre-fabricated elements.

Another object of my invention is to present a column or girder having alarge section modulus and in which an exterior shell of sheet materialis reinforced internally by a number of radial or arched webs forming aspar, and furthermore, in which both the shell and the spar arestrengthened by a number of rigid struts incorporated into the sheetwebbing and, preferably, made to hold the structure together in themanner disclosed herein further.

For accomplishing these and other objects I make use of the principle ofinterlocked` tubular cells or spars as disclosed in my originalco-pending application Serial No. 651,494, filed January 13th, 1933, inwhich application I have presented several embodiments of the plane typeof structure as distinguished from the present columnar type. Y

In the following description I propose to present several typicalembodiments of the new columnar structure as illustrated in the drawingaccompart thereof.

In the drawing, Y Fig. l is a transverse cross-section through acylindrical column consisting of three identical cells and four struts.A40 Fig. 2 is a cross-section through a round column or girder whereinfour cells are conjoined into a unit by as many rigid struts.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a generally tri- Y panying thisspecification and forming an integral (Cl. 18S-38) the exterior webs ofthe cells being arched between the struts for greater stiffness. Y

Fig. 6 is a triangular embodiment in which Y. aow-,toc

three triangular cells are united Aby three triangular struts, and theexteriorwebs ofthe cells are corrugated for increased stiffness underload.

Referring jointly to'all the figures in the drawv ing, any one of thestructures represented therein is integral of a relatively small numberof indi- Vidual, tubular cells, all of YthemV alike if the" structure isto be symmetrical about at leastone axis; the cells are groupedcentrally intoa closed and compact assembly of any geometrical or'irregular pattern in which each cell constitutes The cells are tubularelementsY ex tending the whole length of the column, and withY onesector.

what is hereinafter referred to as chord webs, v

tudinal sheath with the correspondingfapices of the associated cells;each cell will have two such apices adjacent its chord weband ifdesired, may have one or more of such apices in the'interior at the verycenter or thereabouts. In theA structure as assembled, rigid struts ofsuitable cross-sectionV are positioned one in each sheath formed by eachn two contacting cells, these strutsproviding essen#- tial reinforcingelements inthe complete structure. sented in Figs. 1 to 6, these struts`are further utilized to hold the cells together, which is'acY In thepreferred embodiments as Yreprefv complished by transverselyserratingthe profiled l apex'portions of the cells, intermeshing the serratedapices of each two associated ,cellsy and@ Y' inserting a strut ineachsheath formed by the intermeshed apices.- l

The cells of which the variousstructures shown Y in the drawingv areintegrated are fabricated vof sheet material such Vas steel, duralumin,etc.,` by bending or rolling up a stripof the material into anyrequiredtubular shape, and joining the edges V'by riveting orwelding;the serrating of theA proled apcesiof the cells residesincutting out ,l

alternate lengths of therapex portions to a pre.`

determined depth whereby the full apex portions associated cells. Onassembly,the pre-fabricated cells arefabutted laterally so thatthe fulllapex portions of each pair of cells will be interme'shed '5.5.'

`comprises i four Y cells and lined up into a sheath into which a strutis thrust which interlocks the cells into unity.

It will be seen that in a structure of this conguration the struts takeup a certain percentage of the stresses in any kind of loading, as doesthe exterior shell and the interior reinforcing webbing, and due to thedisposition of the struts in the pattern of sheet material and due tothe restraining hold that this material has on the struts, theseelements cooperate in bracing each other against collapsing and thusjointly are able to sustain more load than they could carryindividually.

The embodiments presented in the several iigures are distinguished bythe samelba'sic construction, their shape and number of cells and strutsbeing the principal variables.

Fig. 1 shows a cylindricalcolumn built up of three cells and four strutsII. Each of the cells is characterized by the circular chord web, I, 2and.3,.respectively, each of which constitutes an equal segment of theexterior shell of the column, and two radialwebs 4 and 5. The chordwebs. I,.2 andrmeet the radial webs 4 and 5 in each cell .in two fapicesand 'I on their underside, and the radial webs themselves meet eachother .in the thirdapex 8 which, `in this particu- Vlar embodiment,falls in the center of the column.

Allthreeofthe apices .tV to 8 are profile grooved outwardlyinto acircular shape, Yand all are transversely serrated. Inembodiments ofthis character whereinmorethan two cells are inter-locked at thecenten'the serrated apex portionsrof each cell v.are -a multiple of thelength of the full ,apex portions, and are staggered lengthwise so kthatthey will include the full .apex portions of thetwo or any'other numberof associated cells. :The peripheral intermeshed apices-6 andl of .eachtwoassociated cells accommodate .the interlocking strut II, while thecentral .-apicesS of all the cells inthe pattern collectively. form asingle sheath for .the strut I2.

.The radialwebs l! and 5. of each two adjoining cells combine to formawall of double thickness in theinterior between the central strut` I2:and -each..peripheral vstrut I I. .The closing edges v.ll Vand I0 inveach cell `are shown-as being seam or spot-welded `together .andlocatedin one of the radial '.webs.

In contrast to this structure, the lone in Fig. 2

I3 to I6 and-four interlocking-struts I9,.there being no centralstrutand Aall of the struts I9 being locatedperipherally. The radial webs I1.and I8. of Yeachtwoassociated cells meetat the apex 20,andwith thecorrespondingwebs Vof the other cells-for1na cross-.shaped spar kofdouble thickness in the interior, thestrutsflg vbeing positioned vat theouter extremities of this spar` in the Ysheaths 'formed by its .websunderneath the exterior "eachm'ell is 'characterized in that iitsnormally radial sides are 'blended "with la radius into a tsingle archedweb 24, which web meets the outer chord web, 2l to 23 respectively, intwo profiled Vapices-25 and26. The.' inner webs' 2li `are bowed awayfrom the` chord webs 2I to'23so that in conjunction vwith each otherthese inner webs 24 `formfastar-shaped tubular spar; the struts 2'Iwhich interlockeach two intermeshed cells are ,.peripherally.

cess into the interior of the structure.

most advantageously interposed between the outer extremities of thisconcave spar and the convex exterior shell of the column in the sheathsformed by the apices 25 and 26.

The interlocking struts 21 are represented in 5 this embodiment asbeing, by way of example, hollow rather Vthan solid as in the otheriigures.

The embodiment in Fig. 4 shows a further development of the one of Fig.1, residing in that a number of struts 32-four in this case--are dis- 10posed around the center of the structure in addition to four otherstruts 35 that are positioned The cells in this structure aretrapezoidal in shape with one inner web 36, one chord web 28 to 3I,respectively, and two radial 15 sides 33 and 34; assembled, the fourcells form a rectangular pattern. All four apices 5I to 54 of each cellare'prole grooved outwardly and are transversely serrated whereby in theassembledrelation the inner webs 36 jointly form 20--a-tubularvrectangular spar around the center fin that the chord webs28 to 3I of the cells are perforated by flanged openings 3lv whichfeature materially increases the stiffness of the shell, reducestheweight of the column and provides acqu Ken.) Another means for achievingadditional rigidity of the thin walls is represented in Fig. 5; this isa generally rectangular column constituted of four substantiallytriangular cells which are interlocked with each other i-n their twoapices 55 40 and 56 adjacent thek chord webs-38 to 4I, respectively. Forpurposes of greater stiffness under load the chord webs 38 to 4I'arearched inwardly between the interlockingY struts 43, which is in thedirection opposite to that of the webs 2| to 23 in 45 Fig. 3, whichlatter webs are arched outwardly for the same purpose of impartinggreater resistanc to the sheet material againstv buckling.

Fig.v 6 illustrates a structure comprising three generally obtuse-angledtriangular cells which 50 have their two apices 51 yand 58 at thehypotenuse profiled into the shape of an equilateral triangle;

. in the assembly, the three cells themselves jointly compose anequilateral triangle. The apices 5'I and 58 are interlocked by thetriangular struts 55 48, and between them in the interior the sides 49and 55 of each two abuttingcells form a threepointed sp-ar. Inadditionto the characteristic triangular prole of the cells, struts and thewhole -column, this embodiment is distinguished' in that 60 the exteriorwebs 45, 4S and 4T of the cells are longitudinally corrugated betweenthe profiled apices 5'Iy and 58 in each cell for increasedstiffness,ewhich feature can, obviously, be employed in any of theaforementioned structure for increas- ,ing their section modulus, and isnot only alternative with that of arched webs as shown in Figsf3 and 5.for greater rigidity, but can be applied supplementarily with it.

Through the above embodiments I have' dis- 70 closed the 4scope of myinvention, within which scope-and the scope of the claims appendedhereto I have in purview not only the several basic structures shown,but an endless number of other patterns of any geometrical or` irregularshape. "Z5

terior shell and an interior spar, both of sheetY material, said sparhaving a number o-f webs confronting each other in pairs: between anumber of extremities, and between said extremities and said shell eachpair of webs forming' a sheath, and linear rigid struts inserted in saidsheaths as stress members. Y

3. A-column structure comprising, a closed exterior shell and aninterior spar, both of sheet material, said spar having a number of websmeeting in pairs at a number of extremities, and between saidextremities following curvilinear' paths, and between said extremitiesand said shell each pair of webs forming a sheath, and linear rigidstruts inserted in said sheaths as stress members.

4. A column structure comprising, a closed exterior shell and aninterior tubular spar, both of sheet material, said spar having a numberof webs converging from the center of the column in pairs toward anumber of extremities, and between said extremities and said shell eachpair of webs forming a sheath, and linear rigid struts inserted in saidsheaths as stress members.

5. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialgrouped in laterally confronting relation to provide a closed shell anddouble sheet webbing therein, said cells having each two proled apice-sat said shell whereby each pair of associated cells will'jointlyvform asheath thereat, rigid struts inserted in said sheaths as stress members,and means for joining said cells together through the instrumentality ofsaid struts.

6; A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialhaving each'at least two opposed sides and being grouped in laterallycontacting relation whereby said sides of said cells will provide avclosed exterior shell and an interior tubular spar therein, said cellshaving each two profiled apices at said shell wherebyV each pair ofcontacting cells will jointly form a sheath thereat, rigid strutsinserted in said sheaths as stress members, and means for joining Vsaidcells together thro-ugh the instrumentality of said struts.

7. A column comprising, a number of tubularV cells of sheet materialhaving each a number of profiled apices and sides extending betweenthem, said cells being grouped in laterally confronting relation wherebycertain of said sides thereof will provide an exterior closed shell andothers webbing of double sheet thickness therein, and said profiledapices of said cells will complement one another to form sheaths at saidshell and in the interior thereof, rigid struts inserted in said sheathsas stress members, and means for joining said cells together through theinstrumentality of said struts.

8. A column structure comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheetmaterial extending lengthwise of the structure, said cells having eachone chord web and at least one side web meeting in a minimum of twowell-defined apices, both of them at said chord web, said webs of saidcells being formed with means for stiiening said sheet material thereof,said cells being grouped 'con- I tiguous to each other whereby saidchord webs thereof will form a closed exterior shell and said side websa reinforcing spar in said shell, said apices of said cells beingoutwardly profiled, transversely serrated and intermeshed with theapices of the associated cells, `and a number of struts, eachstrutinterlocking two 'intermeshed apices. Y y

9. A columnstructure comprising, avplurality of individual tubular cellsof sheet materialand a number of .linear stress members/said cellshaving each a number of sides meeting in apices and being grouped toform, transversely, a closed shell and double sheet webbing therein,said apices of said cells being outwardly profiled and transverselyserrated, and said sides between said apices being formed with meansrecessing from the plane thereof 'for stiffen'ing same, each twoassociated cells at said shell being intermeshed in said serrated apicesthereof, each ofV said stress members interlocking two intermeshedapices. l 10. A column structure comprising, a plurality of individualtubular cells of sheet material and a number of vlinear stress members,said cells having each anumber of sides meeting in apices and beinggrouped to form, transversely, a closed shell and double sheet webbingtherein, *saidY apices of said cells being outwardly profiled andtransversely serrated, and said sides between said apices being providedwith flanged perforations for lightness and stiffness, each'twoassociated cells at said shell being intermeshedin said ser'- ratedapices thereof, each of said stress members interlocking two intermeshedapices.

11. A column structure comprising, a plurality of individual tubularcells ofV 'sheet material and a number` of linear stress members, saidcells having each a number of sides meeting in apices and being groupedto form, transversely, a closed shell and double sheet webbing therein,said` apices of said 'cells being outwardly profiled and transversely`serrated, and said 'sidesY being formed to recess from the plane ofsaid'fwebbing for greater stiffness, each two associated 'cells'at saidshell being intermeshed in said serrated apices thereof, each of saidstress members interlocking two intermeshed apices.

12. A kcolumn comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialextending lengthwise of the structure, each cell having one chord weband at least one side web meeting in a minimum of twofwell-definedapices, both of them at said chord web, said cells being grouped to formjointly a closed pattern wherein said chordV webs of said cells-constitute Van exteriorshell and said 'side webs provide a reinforcingspar in saidshell, the two apices of each cell at said chord web thereofbeing outwardly profiled and transversely serrated and intermeshed withthe apices of the associated cells, and a number of struts, Veach strutinterlocking two intermeshed apices.

13. Acolumn comprising, a number of tubular in said shell, the twoapices'of each cell at said A chord web thereof being outwardly profiledand transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of theabutting cells, anda number of struts, each strut interlocking twointermeshed apices.

14. A column comprising,` a number of tubular cells of sheet materialextending lengthwise of the structure, said cells having each onerchordweb and at least one side web meeting in a minimum of two well definedapices, both of them at said chord web, said chord webs of said cellsbeing arched between said apices, said cells being grouped contiguous toeach other whereby said chord webs thereof will form a closed exteriorshell and said side webs a reinforcing spar in said shell, said apicesof said cells being outwardly profiled, transversely serrated andintermeshed with the apices of the associated cells, and a number ofstruts, each strut interlocking two intermeshed apices.

l5. A column comprising, an exterior tubular shell and an interior spar,both of sheet material, said spar having double sheet webs and a numberof extremities, a sheath formed by said webs between each of saidextremities and said shell and one sheath formed by said webs in thecenter of'said spar, and a number of linear stress members inserted onein each sheath.

16. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialgrouped into a closed pattern and extending lengthwise thereof, saidCells having each three apices profile grooved whereby each two abuttingcells in said pattern will form jointly one sheath therebetween at theperiphery .of said structure and all of said cells will form jointly onesheath in the center thereof, and a number of substantially rigid strutsinserted one in each sheath.

17. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialextending lengthwise of the structure, each cell having one chord weband two side Webs meeting in three apices, said cells being abutted oneonto eachother laterally whereby said chord webs thereof will jointlyform an exterior closed shell and said side webs will provideradial websof double thickness in said shell, said cells having their two apices atthe chord web and the third apex in the center of said structureoutwardly profiled, transversely serrated, the two apices of each cellat said chord web thereofV being intermeshed with the apices of theabutting cells, said central apex of each cell having serrations so wideas to accommodate the full apex portions of the other cells in thestructure, and a number of struts, each strut interlocking twointermeshed apices at said shell, and one strut interlocking all of saidcells in the center.

18. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialextending lengthwise of the structure, each cell having one chord weband one side web meeting in two apices,Y said chord web and said sideweb being arched away from each other,` said cells being groupedcontiguous to each other whereby said chord webs thereof will provide 'aclosed exterior Shell and said side webs a hollow reinforcing spar insaid shell, said cells having the two apices thereof profile grooved,transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of the associatedcells, a numberfof struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshedapices.

19. A column comprising, an exterior tubular shell, an interior box sparand webbing connecting said spar with said shell, said shell, spar andwebbing being of sheet material, plurality of sheaths formed by saidwebbing between said spar and said shell, and a number of linear stressmembers inserted one in each sheath.

20. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialgrouped into a closed pattern and extending lengthwise thereof, saidcells having each four apices profile grooved whereby each two abuttingcells in said pattern will jointly form two sheaths therebetween, onesheath at the periphery of said structure and the other at the centerthereof, and a number of substantially rigid struts inserted one in eachsheath.

21. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialextending lengthwise of the structure, each celll having one' chordweb,one inner web and two side webs meeting in four apices, said cells beingabutted laterally whereby said chord webs thereof will jointly form anexterior closed shell, said inner webs will provide a box spar in thecenter of said shell and said side webs will form radial walls of doublethickness between said spar and said shell, said cells having their fourapices outwardly profiled, transversely serrated and' intermeshed withthe apices of the abutting cells at said shell and at said spar, and anumber of struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshed apices,

22. A column comprising, a number of tubular cells of sheet materialextending lengthwise of the structure, said cells having each one chordweb and at least one side web meeting in a number of apices, said websof said cells being formed with flanged perforations, said cells beinggrouped contiguous to each other whereby said chord webs thereof willform a 'closed exterior shell and said side webs a reinforcing spar insaid shell, said apices of said cells being prof-lle grooved,transversely serrated and intermeshed with the apices of the associatedcells, and a number of struts, each strut interlocking two intermeshedapices.

' JOHN PAVLECKA.

